Yemen's Presidential Council to Up Economic Measures to Confront Houthis

Head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad al-Alimi with three other members (Saba)
Head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad al-Alimi with three other members (Saba)
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Yemen's Presidential Council to Up Economic Measures to Confront Houthis

Head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad al-Alimi with three other members (Saba)
Head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad al-Alimi with three other members (Saba)

The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council asserted that the government would continue its efforts to curb the impact of Houthi attacks on oil export ports and address the economic war waged by the militias against the government.

Official Yemeni sources stated that the Council held a meeting chaired by Rashad al-Alimi to address the latest developments in the country, including the economic situation following the government policies aimed at alleviating the repercussions of Houthi attacks on oil facilities and ports.

The meeting also aimed to confront restrictions imposed on the activities of the private sector and the movement of individuals, commodities, and humanitarian aid.

Saba state news agency reported that the Council stressed the importance of doubling efforts to improve rational management of resources, public revenues, deposits, and generous development aid from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The Council praised the royal directives from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, to deposit $1 billion at the Central Bank of Yemen. The move promotes the bank's capabilities in managing monetary policy, maintaining the stability of the national currency, and thwarting the plans of terrorist militias.

Meanwhile, media in reported that local authority led by Mohammed Ali Yasser met with the US ambassador to Yemen, Steven Fagin, and the commander of the US Fifth Fleet, General Charles Cooper, and several US officials at the headquarters of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy.

The talks stressed on the importance of continuing efforts to combat the smuggling of Iranian weapons and drugs to Yemen.

It addressed efforts to combat arms and drug smuggling and boost cooperation, coordination, and capacity-building for the Coast Guard to enhance maritime security and international freedom of navigation.

The sources quoted the US ambassador as saying that the visit aims to show Washington's support for Yemen and al-Mahra governorate, and to boost many aspects in the security field and combating smuggling and terrorism.

Earlier, the British Royal Navy and the US Navy intercepted and confiscated an Iranian arms shipment in the Gulf of Oman, likely destined for the Houthis in Yemen.

Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said this confirmed the Tehran regime's escalation of arms smuggling operations to the Houthis in flagrant violation of international resolutions.

Eryani explained that the Joint Maritime Forces managed to carry out seven interception operations in the past three months.

He said the escalation of arms smuggling operations to Houthi militias revealed intentions to thwart international efforts to restore the ceasefire, accusing Tehran of blocking peace efforts.

The minister appreciated the efforts of the joint naval forces, led by the US Navy and the British Royal Navy, in thwarting Iranian arms smuggling operations. He called for support for the Yemeni Coast Guard to raise their readiness in combating terrorism, arms and drug smuggling and other illegal activities.

Eryani called on the international community, the United Nations, and the Security Council's permanent members to take a firm stance to stop Iranian activities that undermine security and regional and global peace.

Meanwhile, the Yemeni government affirmed its support for UN and international efforts to renew and expand the armistice to launch a comprehensive peace process leading to ending the coup and restoring the state.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak urged the international community to pressure the Houthi militia and its supporters to comply with the requirements of a lasting and comprehensive peace that all Yemenis seek.

He called for providing the necessary support to the Yemeni government to carry out its responsibilities in normalizing economic conditions, providing services to citizens, and implementing the required reforms.



France Declines to Comment on Algeria’s Anger over Recognition of Morocco’s Claim over Sahara

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
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France Declines to Comment on Algeria’s Anger over Recognition of Morocco’s Claim over Sahara

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)

Paris declined to comment on Algeria’s “strong condemnation” of the French government’s decision to recognize Morocco’s claim over the Sahara.

The office of the French Foreign Ministry refused to respond to an AFP request for a comment on the Algeria’s stance.

It did say that further comments could impact the trip Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is set to make to France in late September or early October.

The visit has been postponed on numerous occasions over disagreements between the two countries.

France had explicitly expressed its constant and clear support for the autonomy rule proposal over the Sahara during Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne’s visit to Morocco in February, reported AFP.

The position has helped improve ties between Rabat and Paris.

On Thursday, the Algerian Foreign Ministry expressed “great regret and strong denunciation" about the French government's decision to recognize an autonomy plan for the Western Sahara region "within Moroccan sovereignty”.

Algeria was informed of the decision by France in recent days, an Algerian foreign ministry statement added.

The ministry also said Algeria would draw all the consequences from the decision and hold the French government alone completely responsible.